Glentoran appoint Duncan Ferguson as First Team Manager

Glentoran Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Ferguson as its new First Team Manager on a multi-year contract.

The 54-year-old brings extensive Premier League experience as a player and coach, having served as Assistant Manager to Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez at Everton and taken caretaker charge of the club on two occasions.

Ferguson will be joined at The BetMcLean Oval by Gary Bollan as Assistant Manager. Former Dundee United teammates, the pair later worked together at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where Bollan served as Ferguson’s assistant.

Bollan guided Livingston to successive promotions and Forfar Athletic to promotion through the play-offs. He has also managed Airdrieonians and Cowdenbeath.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Ferguson spent more than a decade in Everton’s coaching structure, progressing from the Academy to Roberto Martínez’s first-team staff in 2014. He subsequently worked under Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva.

During his first caretaker spell in December 2019, Ferguson guided Everton to victory over Chelsea and Premier League draws against Manchester United and Arsenal before becoming Ancelotti’s assistant. He continued under Benítez, took caretaker charge again in January 2022 and later worked alongside Frank Lampard.

Ferguson left Everton that summer to pursue his managerial career, taking charge of Forest Green Rovers in January 2023 and Inverness that September. He departed the Scottish club in October 2024 following its entry into administration.

As a player, Ferguson represented Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Newcastle United, earning seven senior caps for Scotland and scoring 68 goals in 269 Premier League appearances. He helped Everton win the FA Cup in 1995 and registered 273 appearances and 72 goals across two spells with the club.

Everton legend Ferguson becomes the fifth former Everton player to manage Glentoran, following David Reid, James McIntosh, Alex Young and Tommy Jackson.

The longstanding links between the clubs also include Northern Ireland great Billy Bingham, who played for both and later managed Everton before guiding his country to the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals.

Speaking on his appointment as Glentoran First Team Manager, Duncan Ferguson said: “I am delighted to become manager of Glentoran. This is a big club with a tremendous history, and it is a great opportunity for me. I understand the responsibility that comes with the job.

“I want to win trophies here. Glentoran should be challenging for the title and every cup and shield we enter. I know that success here will be judged on what we win.

“The more I spoke with Ali and Paul, the more I wanted the job. Their ambition matches my own, and I am looking forward to getting onto the training pitch, working with the players and seeing what we can achieve together.

“I want us to play with confidence, get forward and give the supporters football they enjoy watching. I am thorough in my preparation and expect a lot from my players. It will take time to put my ideas into practice, but I will be clear from day one about how I want us to play and what I expect.

“I have signed for the long term and will be living in Belfast. I want to get to know the people at the Club and in the wider community and become part of life here. That is important to me.

“I have heard so much about the Glentoran supporters and what this Club means to them. We have a responsibility to win games and make them proud. Their support has to be earned, and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Ali Pour, Owner of Glentoran Football Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Duncan to Glentoran. His appointment on a multi-year contract reflects our ambition to win trophies and our confidence in what he can bring to the Club.

“We took the time this decision deserved. We conducted a rigorous recruitment process, interviewing candidates from across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Scandinavia. We carefully assessed their experience and proposals and completed our due diligence before making the appointment.

“Paul and I met Duncan on several occasions in Liverpool. Those conversations gave us the opportunity to explore his approach to management, discuss the demands of the role and understand what he could contribute to Glentoran.

“His football knowledge, experience and determination to take on this opportunity impressed us. Duncan demonstrated the qualities we were looking for in coaching, leadership, player development and recruitment, supported by strong relationships across the game.

“The multi-year agreement gives us the opportunity to develop that working relationship over time. Paul and I look forward to supporting Duncan as we pursue the success this Club and its supporters deserve.

“I would also like to thank Paddy McCourt, Tim McCann and the first-team staff for their professionalism and commitment throughout the interim period. We are grateful for their work.”

Paul Millar, Sporting Director of Glentoran Football Club, said: “Duncan brings extensive coaching experience, from developing Academy players and working with senior internationals to coaching alongside Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benítez and Roberto Martínez. He has also taken responsibility for Everton in the Premier League in a caretaker capacity.

“Our discussions focused on how he would put that experience to work at Glentoran. He spoke clearly about his approach to coaching, the standards he expects and how he helps players improve.

“His background in player development will be valuable for the first team and those coming through the Academy. His contacts across the game will also support our recruitment work as he gets to know the squad and assesses what we need.

“This is an exciting appointment for Glentoran. Duncan understands the expectations here and shares our determination to deliver success by winning trophies. I am looking forward to working closely with him and Gary.”

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